TCS teacher selected as finalist for national mathematics award

By Megan Miller, Editor

TRUSSVILLE – Jana Walls, fourth grade math teacher and upcoming TCS math coach, has been selected as one of the five elementary school mathematics recipients of the 2016 Presidential Awards for Excellence in Mathematics and Science Teaching (PAEMST).

A national selection committee will choose the winner of PAEMST from the state finalists, with the award carrying a $10,000 cash prize.

PAEMST are the highest honors bestowed by the U.S. government specifically for K-12 mathematics and science teaching. This also includes computer science. The program was established by congress in 1983, and authorizes the President to bestow up to 108 awards annually.

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“In our state and our country we continue to struggle with proper math education,” TCS Board President Sid McNeal said. “Our students are scoring higher and higher as our system progresses and matures, so our efforts in that area are justified. We need more people who will move into that area and do it well.”

The award recognizes teachers who develop and implement a high-quality instructional program that is informed by content knowledge, and enhances student learning. Since the program’s inception, more than 4,400 teachers have been recognized.

“This is one of the highest honors that can be bestowed upon a teacher,” Philip Cleveland, interim state superintendent of education, said in a press release. “Your selection clearly indicates your ability and dedication in educating students and also recognizes your leadership and innovative teaching practices.”

Awardees serve as examples to their colleagues, inspiration to their communities and leaders in the improvement of math and science education.

“I had the opportunities I’ve had because I was here (in Trussville),” Jana Walls said. “There’s a lot of research out there that the way we talk to our kids, especially about math, is very important. As teachers we have to love it (our subject) if we ant our kids to love it.”

Jana’s husband, Kent, said she’s worked tremendously hard to get this far in the process.

“I’ve been to her classroom a few times, and she really gets the kids engaged,” Kent Walls said. “I hope that now as she moves into being a math coach, that she can get every kid in TCS engaged in math, liking math and enjoying math.”

Walls graduated Suma Cum Laude from UAB in 2008 with a master of arts in education and an education specialist degree. She has studied under Dr. Constance Kamii, professor of early childhood education at UAB.

Walls has served as a fourth grade teacher for the last six years, and will transition to TCS District Math Coach for the 2016-17 school year. She will begin work on her Ph.D. at Auburn University.